No. 11 Ranked Smithtown West Bulls Team Preview

Continuing to climb the ladder in the LILJ top 26 preseason rankings, it’s the Smithtown West Bulls coming in at number 11. This is another one of Long Island’s programs that made history in 2025 with a 13 win regular season, winning their first ever county championship and appearing in the Class B Long Island Championship. As we get closer and closer to the start of the season the Bulls come in with confidence, continuity, and a senior class that has helped define the program under fourth-year head coach Vincenza Daniels.

This is a veteran roster led by captains Ashlynn Renkowski (Cornell), Alyssa Lorefice (Rutgers), Ashley Mennella (UMass), and Maribella Marciano (Lehigh), a group that has been together since freshman year and has helped build the foundation of the team’s culture and work ethic. Offensively, the Bulls return elite production, highlighted by Lorefice’s massive 77-point season with 21 goals and 56 assists, along with strong scoring threats in Ashley Mennella who scored 41 goals, Kaitlyn Mennella (Iona) with 25 points, and Vanessa Pollina (Adelphi) with 29 points. In goal, Marciano provides stability as a very consistent presence after tallying 113 saves in 2025, anchoring a defense that also brings back key contributors like Kaleigh Renkowski (Quinnipiac) and Lola Russo (LIU). While Smithtown West will need to replace the graduation of impact players such as All-American Kate Theofield, Jolie Schiavo, and Grace Theofield who are all playing at the collegiate level, younger players Molly Hyland and Grace Giotis are poised for expanded roles after showing promise last spring. Coach Daniels shared what excites her about the team heading into the new season. “I have had these kids from freshman year until now. They helped create the building blocks of our culture and work ethic for this team. They truly are a great group on and off the field. They play for each other and that is something that has been within them since they were kids.” With experience, chemistry, and a clear understanding that success must be earned, Smithtown West enters 2026 focused on blocking out the noise and proving itself every time it steps on the field. The season opener as they begin their quest for a county championship repeat is a rematch from last year’s semifinal game against ESM on 3/26.